A Guide To Childhood Asthma

In recent times, childhood asthma has become more widespread. It has become one of the most prevalent chronic illnesses in the children forcing more and more kids to miss school, and limit their activity level. The underlying cause of childhood asthma is similar to that of adult asthma-inflammation of the airways. The inflammation makes the airways very sensitive, causing coughing, wheezing or serious flare-ups that interfere with normal breathing.

Childhood Asthma Symptoms

Childhood asthma can be very bothersome, interfering with everyday sports, play, sleep and school. Childhood asthma can also cause serious or life-threatening asthma attacks. Some of the most common childhood asthma symptoms are coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing sound when exhaling, chest tightness or congestion, trouble sleep due to shortness of breath, fatigue, and troubled breathing after exercise or active play.

These are some common childhood asthma symptoms, and they may vary from child to child. Wheezing is the most common symptom of asthma, but not all children suffering from asthma wheeze. It is not always possible to tell if the symptoms are caused by asthma. Many asthma-like symptoms may be due to respiratory problem or infectious bronchitis.

If there is whistling sound when child exhales, constant coughing, complaint of chest tightness, shortness of breath or repeated episodes of pneumonia or bronchitis, take your child to the doctor as soon as possible.

Causes And Treatment Of Childhood Asthma

In children suffering from asthma, the immune system becomes overly sensitive, and airways become easily swollen and inflamed when exposed to certain triggers such as allergens or smoke. Some of the common triggers of childhood asthma include viral infections, exercise, allergens, tobacco smoke or weather changes.

The main aim of asthma treatment is to get it under control. When well-controlled, the child will have no symptoms, no flare-ups, minimal use of rescue inhalers, and no limitations physical activity. Preventive medication helps reduce the airway inflammation, and quick relief medications open the swollen airways so that breathing becomes easier.

To control and cure the childhood asthma in the long-run, various medication such as inhaled corticosteroids, combination inhalers, leukotriene, cromolyn, and theophylline are used. If the asthma is not getting under control by avoiding triggers, immunotherapy may be helpful.

Making some small lifestyle changes can also help deal with the childhood asthma. This includes using the air conditioner, making home more asthma friendly, keeping the indoor air clean, maintaining low humidity level, reducing pet dander, reducing child's exposure to cold air, and keeping the house clean.

Additionally, help your child stay fit and healthy with the help of regular exercise, healthy diet, and controlling the heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease.